Chapter 217: Body Inspection I

Body Inspection

The three of them followed the covered passage to the courtyard assigned to them.

Above the entrance hung a wooden plaque engraved with three characters:

Jadecrest Residence.

Lothe looked up at it before stepping through the gate.

The courtyard was beautiful. White-stone buildings surrounded a landscaped garden filled with bamboo, ornamental trees, and a quiet pond. Sleek glass windows were set into dark wooden frames, while curved tiled roofs gave the residence a traditional Eastern elegance.

Soft lanterns illuminated the stone paths. Subtle formation patterns were carved into the walls and pillars, giving the courtyard a luxurious appearance and a faint spiritual atmosphere.

"Luxury," Lothe murmured.

Even before the apocalypse, he and Old B had never stayed anywhere like this. The thought of his mentor caused the carefree expression on Lothe’s face to fade, and a quiet sigh escaped him.

Seana, still held around the waist by Lothe, noticed immediately.

"What is it, Little Fox?" she asked softly.

"Nothing." Lothe looked across the garden. "I was thinking about Old B."

Seana’s expression softened.

Zhao Meiyun, walking behind them, noticed the change in their moods. After a brief pause, he decided to give them some privacy.

"I’ll take one of the rooms on the left," he said, pointing toward the building. "Good night."

"Good night," Lothe replied.

Zhao nodded and walked away.

"If he were here, he would be proud of you," Seana said, turning toward Lothe.

"Would he?" Lothe chuckled. "I think he would say the opposite."

"I’m not joking."

She raised her hand and touched his cheek.

"You fought for those children. Because of you, we escaped the illusion, broke out of the Nine-Lock Prison, and reached the children, even though we were late. We still saved them, and all that was because of you."

Her fingers brushed gently across his cheeks.

"So yes, he would be proud of you."

"But you know what kind of person I am," Lothe said, meeting her eyes. "I joined the investigation because you were involved."

He had never pretended to be a saint. If Seana hadn’t been part of the investigation, he probably wouldn’t have cared much about the missing children.

"You think I don’t know that?" Seana asked.

She stepped closer, lowering her voice.

"Since the apocalypse began, you’re the only person I’ve met who treats the changed world as if it were a child’s game."

She paused.

"So I know who you are, Little Fox. And I love you exactly as you are."

Lothe was briefly caught off guard. Then a wide smile spread across his face.

"Then I’ll never let you go, love."

He leaned down and kissed her.

Moonlight spilled across the courtyard as the garden swayed in the breeze. Small glowing flowers detached from their stems and drifted along the stone paths.

After a while, Lothe pulled away and admired her.

"You always say I’m demonically handsome, but you don’t realize how beautiful you are."

Seana laughed and lightly struck his chest.

Only then did she realize how much he had changed. His shoulders were broader, his chest stronger, and his waist remained lean. He no longer had the slender build she remembered.

His long black hair was gathered behind him with an ornamental hairpiece.

"Tch. Shameless," she murmured.

"How am I shameless?" Lothe asked innocently.

"Besides, didn’t you promise to give me a full-body check-up?"

His eyes gleamed. "Don’t go back on your word."

Seana narrowed her eyes. "That was for your injuries."

"Of course." His tone was far too sincere.

"Fine. Fine. Let’s go."

Lothe followed her inside with a smile that was anything but innocent.

The main building was just as elegant as the courtyard. A polished wooden screen separated the reception area from the private rooms, while warm spiritual lamps illuminated the interior.

Seana led him into one of the rooms and turned around.

"Take off your robes. I need to examine your injuries properly."

Lothe raised an eyebrow.

"All of them?"

Seana gave him a warning look. "Don’t start."

He chuckled and loosened his belt. His dark-purple outer robe slipped from his shoulders, followed by the inner garment covering his upper body.

Soon, he stood before her with his chest bare.

Seana’s movements stopped.

His chest was broad and well-defined, his shoulders strong, and his waist lean. His body had been tempered through cultivation and combat. Faint scars crossed his skin, remnants of old injuries.

For a moment, she forgot why she had asked him to undress.

Lothe noticed her silence.

"Love?"

"Hm?"

"Is something wrong?"

"N-No." She quickly looked away. "Let me examine you."

His lips curved. "As you wish."

He turned slightly, but not before catching the faint blush spreading across her cheeks.

"You’re blushing."

"I’m not!"

"Then I must be seeing things."

"Be quiet."

Lothe chuckled and remained still.

Seana placed her hand against his chest. Her fingers paused over the area struck by Leon’s palm.

The skin was still swollen, and faint traces of Corpse Qi lingered beneath it, irritating the surrounding meridians.

Her expression immediately became serious.

"Does it still hurt?"

"A little."

"That means yes."

Seana placed her other hand against his chest and sent a thin strand of Crimson Blood Qi into his body.

Lothe glanced down at her. "Your hands are cold."

"Then stop moving."

He smiled but obeyed.

Seana guided her Blood Qi through the injured area, examining the damage. The wound had improved, but the remaining Corpse Qi continued to irritate his internal circulation.

"Your meridians are still strained," she said. "You shouldn’t have used so much spatial energy after taking that blow."

"I had to finish the formation."

"And now you’re paying for it."

Lothe gave a soft laugh. "I thought you were going to praise me."

"I’ll praise you after you learn to take care of yourself."

"Then I’ll have to work harder for your praise."

Seana shook her head, though the corners of her lips lifted.

She continued examining his chest, carefully moving her fingers around the injured area. Despite her efforts to remain focused, the warmth of his skin beneath her palm made her cheeks grow warmer.

Lothe noticed.

"Love?"

"Hm?"

"You’re taking quite a long time."

"Be quiet."

He lowered his head slightly, bringing his face closer to hers.

"Is something wrong?"

"No."

"Then why are your hands trembling?"

Seana immediately withdrew her hand. "Your injuries are irritating. That’s all."

"Is that so?"

Lothe’s eyes gleamed with amusement.

"Perhaps I should let you examine me a little longer."

"You’re impossible."

"Yet you love me."

Seana glared at him, but before she could respond, Lothe suddenly hissed.

"It hurts."

Her expression changed instantly.

"Where?"

She stepped closer. "Is it here?"

Her fingers moved toward the area beneath his chest.

"Don’t move. Let me check."

Lothe watched her for a moment before his lips curved.

"It really hurts."?